Edison, Ford, Firestone: Uncommon Friends.

Edison, Ford, Firestone: Uncommon Friends

Fort Myers, Florida

Sculpted by D.J. Wilkins in 1989, "Uncommon Friends" features larger-than-life aluminum versions of inventor Thomas Edison, car maker Henry Ford (both wintertime Fort Myers residents), and tire maker Harvey Firestone. A plaque identifies the three men as, "Fathers of the American Industrial 20th Century." They made winter camping trips to the Everglades beginning in 1914.

The three men lounge around a campfire, wearing suits, on a small island inside a 40-foot diameter pool filled with sculpted Florida animals, including alligators, manatees, frogs, and fish.

Wilkins wore a beret and was called the "Sculptor of Fort Myers." He was asked to create Uncommon Friends after an admirer saw his aluminum Ethereal Thomas Edison Statue, also in Fort Myers, and thought it was terrific.

Edison, Ford, Firestone: Uncommon Friends

Centennial Park

Address:: 2050 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL
Directions:: In Centennial Park, on the north side of Edwards Drive, opposite its intersection with Monroe St. Just east of the US-41 bridge.

Nearby Offbeat Places

Ethereal Thomas Edison Statue, Fort Myers, FL - < 1 mi.

Pipeosaurus - Imaginarium Dinosaur, Fort Myers, FL - < 1 mi.

Iwo Jima Statue, Cape Coral, FL - 4 mi.

In the region:

First White Man Dies In America Marker, Punta Gorda, FL - 23 mi.

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